Enhanced atomic layer deposition

ABSTRACT

A method of enhanced atomic layer deposition is described. In an embodiment, the enhancement is the use of plasma. Plasma begins prior to flowing a second precursor into the chamber. The second precursor reacts with a prior precursor to deposit a layer on the substrate. In an embodiment, the layer includes at least one element from each of the first and second precursors. In an embodiment, the layer is TaN. In an embodiment, the precursors are TaF 5  and NH 3 . In an embodiment, the plasma begins during the purge gas flow between the pulse of first precursor and the pulse of second precursor. In an embodiment, the enhancement is thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal energy is greater than generally accepted for ALD (&gt;300 degrees Celsius). The enhancement assists the reaction of the precursors to deposit a layer on a substrate.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is generally related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/137,058, titled ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION AND CONVERSION, filed May 2, 2002.

The present application is generally related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/782,207, titled SEQUENTIAL PULSE DEPOSITION, filed Feb. 13, 2001.

All of the above listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to deposition techniques and, more particularly, to enhanced atomic layer deposition techniques for forming layers on wafers or substrates and to resulting structures and devices for performing the atomic layer techniques.

BACKGROUND

Integrated circuit devices continue to be reduced in size in order to create smaller devices that consume less power and operate faster. However, the reduction in size has increased the need for more precise layers that form the integrated circuits. More precise layers require excellent step coverage to prevent unwanted shorts between layers in an integrated circuit. That is, the stoichiometry of the layers must continue to be improved. Moreover, the purity of the layers becomes more important on the smaller scale integrated circuits as a single impurity may cause a layer to fail or short two adjacent layers.

As an example, modern integrated circuit design has advanced to the point where line width may be 0.25 microns or less. As a result, repeatability and uniformity of processes and their results is becoming increasingly important. Generally, it is desired to have thin films deposited on the wafer to save space. Yet reducing the thickness of films can result in pinholes and reduced mechanical strength, both of which may lead to shorts through the film.

Another development in the field of thin film technology for coating substrates is atomic layer deposition (ALD). A description of ALD is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,459, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. ALD operates by confining a wafer in a reaction chamber at a typical temperature of less than 300 degrees Celsius. Precursor gas is pulsed into the chamber, wherein the pulsed precursor forms a monolayer on the substrate by chemisorption. The low temperature limits the bonding of the precursor to chemisorption, thus only a single layer, usually only one atom or molecule thick, is grown on the wafer. Each pulse is separated by a purge pulse which completely purges all of the precursor gas from the chamber before the next pulse of precursor gas begins. Each injection of precursor gas provides a new single atomic layer on the previously deposited layers to form a layer of film. Obviously, this significantly increases the time it takes to deposit a layer having adequate thickness on the substrate.

These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes methods for forming a layer in an integrated circuit using enhanced atomic layer deposition as described herein and structures resulting from the methods. A method includes providing energy to disassociate components of a precursor gas to further enhance atomic layer deposition (“ALD”). In an embodiment, a plasma disassociates components of a precursor gas. In an embodiment, a thermal energy disassociates components of a precursor gas. The disassociated component reacts with another precursor gas to form an ALD layer in the integrated circuit.

In an embodiment, the present method includes purging a first gas and starting a plasma during the purging the first gas. In an embodiment, the method further includes flowing the first gas as a first precursor to the ALD reaction. A portion of the first gas remains adjacent the substrate. The method further includes flowing a second gas as a second precursor to the ALD reaction. The method further includes reacting the first and second gases according to ALD principles to form a layer on a substrate. In an embodiment, the plasma is maintained during a portion of the flowing of the second gas. In an embodiment, the plasma disassociates a component of the second gas. In an embodiment, the plasma is formed by applying about 300 Watts of RF power. The component reacts with the first gas to form the ALD layer. In an embodiment, the plasma ends prior to ending the flow of the second gas. In an embodiment, the process repeats the cycle of flowing a first gas, flowing a second gas, disassociating, and reacting to form multiple sub-layers. In an embodiment, the first precursor gas includes TaF₅. In an embodiment, the second precursor gas includes NH₃. In an embodiment the layer is TaN.

In an embodiment, the present method includes heating one of the reaction chamber and the substrate to a temperature of about 400 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, the present method includes heating one of the reaction chamber and the substrate to a temperature above about 350 degrees Celsius. The precursor gases then sequentially flow into the chamber according to ALD principles and react at the substrate to form the layer of the present invention. The thermal energy disassociates a component of at least one of the precursor gases to enhance the ALD reaction. In an embodiment, a first precursor gas of TaF₅ flows into the reaction chamber. A portion of the TaF₅ gas remains at the surface of the substrate. In an embodiment, a second precursor gas including at least one of SiH₄ and NH₃ flows into the chamber. In an embodiment, a layer of TaN is formed.

In an embodiment, the ALD layer of the present invention is a metal layer. In an embodiment, the metal layer includes tantalum. In an embodiment, the ALD layer is TaN. The ALD layer is adapted to be used as a barrier layer in an integrated circuit device. Integrated circuit devices include memory cells, capacitors, and transistors. The integrated circuit devices are adapted to be used in memory devices, memory systems, computing systems and electronic devices. In an embodiment, the ALD layer of the present invention is in a substrate, wafer, or die. In an embodiment, the TaN layer has a ratio of Ta:N of about 1:1. In an embodiment, the TaN layer has a resistivity of about 2500 μOhms-cm. In an embodiment, the TaN layer has a resistivity of about 2000 μOhms-cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an integrated circuit capacitor according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an integrated circuit transistor according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a reactor for use with the process of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view of a reactor system for use with the process of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view of a memory system containing a semiconductor device having an enhanced ALD layer according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of a wafer containing semiconductor dies, each having a semiconductor device with an enhanced ALD layer of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a circuit module that has a semiconductor device with an enhanced ALD layer of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a memory module that has a semiconductor device with an enhanced ALD layer of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electronic system that has a semiconductor device with an enhanced ALD layer of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a memory system that has a semiconductor device with an enhanced ALD layer of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a computer system that has a semiconductor device with an enhanced ALD layer of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The terms wafer and substrate used in the following description include any structure having an exposed surface onto which a layer is deposited according to the present invention, for example to form the integrated circuit (IC) structure. The term substrate is understood to include semiconductor wafers. The term substrate is also used to refer to semiconductor structures during processing, and may include other layers that have been fabricated thereupon. Both wafer and substrate include doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial semiconductor layers supported by a base semiconductor or insulator, as well as other semiconductor structures well known to one skilled in the art. The term conductor is understood to include semiconductors, and the term insulator is defined to include any material that is less electrically conductive than the materials referred to as conductors. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

According to the teachings of the present invention, fabrication of films on substrates, devices and systems for such fabrication, media containing instructions therefor, and integrated circuit devices produced according to the present invention are described.

FIG. 1 depicts a method for forming a layer using atomic layer deposition 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A substrate is prepared, 115, to have a layer, such as a thin film, formed on the fabrication surface of the substrate. The substrate preparation includes forming integrated circuit structures on the substrate. Such structures include trenches, insulating layers, field oxides, capacitor layers, and transistor component structures. Thus, the surface of the substrate on which a layer is formed according to the present invention is, in an embodiment, not planar. That is, the layer to be deposited must conform to the topology of the substrate surface. The substrate, in an embodiment, includes both logic circuits and memory devices. A first precursor gas deposits a first compound on the substrate surface, 117. In an embodiment, the first compound includes a metal. In an embodiment, the first compound includes a refractory metal. In an embodiment, the first compound includes tantalum. In an embodiment, the first compound includes TaF₅. According to atomic layer deposition principles a very small amount (very thin layer) of the first precursor compound adheres to the substrate surface. A plasma is initiated adjacent the substrate, 118. In an embodiment, the plasma is initiated in the reaction chamber that holds the substrate. A second precursor gas provides a second compound adjacent the substrate surface, 119, and, hence, the first compound. In an embodiment, the second compound includes nitrogen. In an embodiment, the second compound includes ammonia. The second compound reacts with the first compound at the substrate surface to deposit a layer according to ALD principles, 121. The deposited layer includes an element from each of the first and second compounds. In an embodiment, the deposited layer includes a metal and another element. In an embodiment, the deposited layer includes tantalum. In an embodiment, the deposited layer includes TaN. The plasma stops in step 123. In an embodiment, the plasma creation stops during the reaction of the first and second compounds. In an embodiment, the plasma creation stops when the flow of the second gas stops. The deposited layer is typically deposited in a thickness of less than a few atomic layers. In an embodiment, the thickness of the layer is about 100 angstroms. In an embodiment, the thickness of the layer is deposited at about 1 angstroms per cycle. In an embodiment, the thickness of the layer is deposited at less than about 1 angstroms per cycle. Accordingly, the method determines if the deposited layer has the desired thickness, 125. The method of the present invention may directly measure the thickness of the deposited layer in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the method of the present invention may rely on prior test data to determine how many times the cycle of steps must be repeated to achieve the desired deposited layer thickness. If the deposited layer does not have the desired thickness the method returns to step 117. In an embodiment, the desired thickness is about 300 angstroms. The layer deposited according to the present invention is deposited at a rate of about 1 angstroms per cycle. Thus, the cycle repeats three hundred times to deposit a 300 angstrom layer. If the deposited layer has the desired thickness, then the method proceeds to further IC fabrication on the substrate, 127.

In an example of process 100, a TaN film is formed. A purge gas evacuates the air from the reaction chamber that encloses at least one substrate. A first precursor gas, which includes tantalum (Ta), is pulsed into the reaction chamber for two seconds. In an embodiment, the first precursor gas includes TaF₅. An amount of the Ta in the precursor gas adheres to the surface of the substrate according to ALD principles. An inert purge gas, e.g., argon, is pulsed into the chamber for four seconds to exhaust the first precursor gas except for the portion that adheres to the substrate surface. During the purge gas pulse, a plasma energy is delivered to the reaction chamber. The purge gas forms a plasma as it exhausts the precursor gas. The plasma energy is about 300 Watts. After the first precursor gas is purged, the second precursor gas, which includes nitrogen (N), is pulsed into the reaction chamber for two seconds. In an embodiment, the second precursor gas include NH₃ The plasma energy continues to form a plasma out of the second precursor gas. The portion of the first precursor gas that is at the substrate surface reacts with the second precursor gas to form an ALD TaN layer on the substrate. The plasma energy is turned off. The second precursor pulse ends. If the TaN layer has the desired thickness, then the process ends. If the TaN layer does not have the desired thickness, then the process repeats.

FIG. 2 depicts a process 200 according to the teachings of the present invention. Process 200 begins by initiating an inert purge gas flow through a reactor, 210. The purge gas maintains the reactor chamber at a generally constant pressure. The purge gas is selected to be inert in the chemical reaction between the first and second precursor gases. In an embodiment of the present invention the purge gas flow is pulsed, for example only injecting purge gas between other gas pulses. In another embodiment, purge gas is not used at all, i.e. step 210 is not performed.

The first precursor gas containing a first element to be deposited on the substrate now flows into the reaction chamber, 212. In an embodiment, the first element is conductive. In an embodiment, the conductive first element is a metal. In an embodiment, the metal includes, for example, tantalum. The metals can also include alloys that include tantalum. The metal, in an embodiment, is one element of a compound. The first precursor gas flow continues until a volume closely adjacent the surface of the substrate on which the first element will be deposited is saturated by the first precursor gas, 214. According to the teachings of the present invention, the first precursor gas saturates the topology of the substrate so that adequate precursor material is adjacent the substrate surface by the first precursor gas entering and/or coating the steps, trenches, and holes. The first precursor gas flow, as well as purge gas flow, if present, continues until the required saturation occurs depending on the processing conditions dictated by the type of substrate and precursor gas, and the topology of the substrate, 216. A substrate having numerous or high aspect steps may require a longer first precursor gas flow period than a substrate which has few steps or relative low aspect steps.

The first precursor gas flow ends once the first precursor gas saturates adjacent the substrate according to the processing conditions of the present deposition, 218. After the first precursor gas flow is stopped, energy to create a plasma in the reaction chamber begins, 219. The energy forms a plasma out of the gas remaining in the reaction chamber. In an embodiment, the purge gas begins forming the plasma. After the energy for forming the plasma is turned on, a second precursor gas flows in the reaction chamber, 220. The second precursor gas continues to flow into the reaction chamber until the second precursor gas saturates the volume adjacent the surface of the substrate on which the substance in the first precursor gas has been deposited, 222. The second precursor gas includes an element that will combine with the first precursor gas that remains adjacent the substrate surface. The plasma energy disassociates the elements of the second precursor. Accordingly, a disassociated element from the second precursor gas is free to form the desired ALD deposited layer with an element of the first precursor gas. The first precursor gas and the disassociated element of second precursor gas chemically react and deposit the desired compound in a ALD layer, e.g., monolayer, on the substrate. In an embodiment, the deposited monolayer is about one atomic layer thick. In an embodiment, the deposited ALD layer is less than one atomic layer thick. The monolayer and the ALD layer are an essentially pure layer of a single compound. In an embodiment, the disassociated element from the second precursor is N. In an embodiment, the layer formed by the present process is TaN.

The present process may continue the purge gas flow while the second precursor gas flows into the reaction chamber, 224. Once a sufficient quantity of second precursor gas is present to complete the reaction with the first precursor gas to deposit a layer on the substrate, the second precursor gas flow ends, 226. Purge gas flow may continue to at least partially flush the residual reaction and precursor gases and the by-product gas of the first and second precursors and reactant reaction from the reaction chamber.

At step 229, it is determined if the ALD layer formed by the previous steps has the desired layer thickness. If the layer now formed by one or a plurality of the ALD step iterations of the present invention has the desired thickness, then the ALD process proceeds to process end steps. If purge gas is still flowing, then the purge gas flow ends (231) usually after the remnants of the precursor, reactant, and by-product gases are purged from the chamber. The process of the present invention terminates at box 232. The reader should note that process termination comprises initiation of further processing and does not necessarily require shutdown of the reactor, e.g. the above sequence of steps can be repeated or additional fabrication steps are performed. While one embodiment of the invention includes all of the above steps, the present invention includes other embodiments which do not include all of the above steps.

If the layer now formed by the one or plurality of ALD step iterations does not have the desired thickness, then the process returns to step 210 or step 212 and begins another cycle. The process then completes the above sequence/process until step 229 determines that the converted layer has the desired thickness and thus the method proceeds to its end steps 231, 232.

An embodiment of the present inventive process is shown in FIG. 3. The process begins with flowing a pulse of the first precursor gas containing the first element into the reaction chamber. The first precursor gas flows into the chamber until a sufficient quantity of the element that will form the monolayer is adjacent the substrate as determined by stoichiometry and the particular reaction needed to deposit the desired film on the substrate. The first precursor gas must include a certain minimum amount of the first element to be deposited on a substrate and other reactive components that assist in the depositing the first element on the substrate. In an embodiment, the first element includes tantalum. The precursor gas may flow into the reactor in a quantity greater than determined by the stoichiometry of the reaction. The first precursor gas pulse is in the range of about one to two seconds. A pulse of purge gas now flows into the reaction chamber. The purge gas removes the first precursor gas from the reaction chamber except for a portion of the first precursor gas that remains at the substrate surface according to ALD principles. The purge gas is selected so that it is essentially inert with respect to both the first precursor gas and a second precursor gas. In an embodiment, the purge gas includes argon. The purge gas pulse is in the range of about one to four seconds. While the purge gas pulse is flowing into the reaction chamber, the energy required to form a plasma is turned on. Thus, the purge gas begins forming a plasma in the reaction chamber. A pulse of the second precursor gas flows into the chamber until a sufficient quantity of the second element that will form part of the desired layer on the substrate surface is adjacent the substrate surface. Thus, the second precursor gas is available to react with the first precursor at the surface of the substrate to deposit the desired film. In an embodiment, the second precursor gas pulse is about one to two seconds. The plasma energy continues to be applied to the gases in the reaction chamber during at least part of the pulse of the second precursor. Thus, the energy forms a plasma of the elements of the second precursor gas. The plasma energy disassociates the second element from the other components of the second precursor gas. The second element reacts with the first element to form a layer containing the first and second elements on the substrate surface. In an embodiment, the second element includes nitrogen. In an embodiment, the resulting layer is a metal nitride. In an embodiment, the layer is tantalum nitride. While the ALD reaction is nearing its conclusion, the plasma energy pulse ends. The second precursor gas pulse ends. A further purge gas pulse removes the remaining gases from the chamber and the substrate surface. The process is repeated until the layer formed according to the above steps has the desired thickness.

The amounts of the first precursor gas and the second precursor gas meets or exceeds the amount of material required by the stoichiometry of the particular reaction. That is, the amount of the first and second precursors in certain embodiments, provides excess mass in the reactor. The excess mass is provided to ensure an adequate reaction at the surface of the wafer. In this embodiment, the ratio of first precursor and the second precursor components in the gas phase is different than the stoichiometry of the film.

An example of a TaN layer formed according to plasma enhanced ALD was formed on a wafer. The plasma energy for this example was 300 Watts. The TaN layer has an average resistance of about 1300 μOhms-cm as determined by Creative Design Engineering's resistivity mapping system. In an embodiment, the average resistance is about 2,000 μOhms-cm. Further, a film deposited according to the present invention using TaF₅ as a first precursor and NH3 as the second precursor results in less than 10% fluorine in the TaN layer. A film deposited according to the present invention using TaF₅ as a first precursor and NH3 as the second precursor results in less than 5% fluorine in the TaN layer. In an embodiment, the fluorine contaminant in the TaN layer is less than about 10%. In an embodiment, the fluorine contaminant in the TaN layer is less than about 5%. Further, the ratio of Ta to N is about 1:1.

Another example of a layer that is formed according to the present invention is a tantalum nitride (TaN) layer formed on a copper layer. The TaN is formed according to the teachings herein on a copper layer in an integrated circuit structure. An example of a copper structure is a signal line. In an embodiment, the copper structure is a trench capacitor. The copper layer lines the capacitor and the TaN is formed directly adjacent the Cu layer. In an embodiment, the copper layer is a hemispherical grain (“HSG”) sidewall of an IC capacitor. The TaN layer provides excellent coverage of the HSG layer. The TaN reacts with the Cu layer to form copper tantalum nitride.

FIG. 4 shows a process 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. An integrated circuit substrate is prepared according to fabrication techniques, 415. The techniques include wafer fabrication, thin or thick film fabrication, fabrication of integrated circuit device such as capacitors, transistors, interconnects, etc. as performed in the art. The substrate, in an embodiment, includes both or at least one of logic circuits and memory devices. The substrate is positioned in a deposition chamber. The substrate is heated in the reaction chamber to a desired temperature, 416. In an embodiment, the temperature is about 400 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, the temperature is 400 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, the temperature is in the range of about 350 degrees Celsius to about 450 degrees Celsius. The first precursor gas flows into the chamber, 417. In an embodiment, the first precursor gas includes TaF₅. In an embodiment, the first precursor gas is TaF₅. The first gas adheres to the substrate according to atomic layer deposition (ALD) principles. The first precursor gas not closely adjacent the substrate surface is purged from the chamber. In an embodiment, a purge gas pulse removes the portion of first precursor gas that is not adjacent the substrate from the chamber. In an embodiment, the purge gas is an inert gas. In an embodiment, the purge gas includes argon. In an embodiment, the purge gas is non-reactive with the first precursor gas and a second precursor gases A second precursor gas flows into the chamber. In an embodiment, the second precursor gas includes ammonia (NH₃). In an embodiment, the second precursor gas includes ammonia and silane (SiH₄). A portion of the second precursor gas flows adjacent the substrate surface, 418. The first precursor gas and the second precursor gas react at the surface of the substrate to form a thin, atomic layer on the substrate surface according to ALD. The reaction deposited a layer of less than 1 angstrom on the substrate. In an embodiment, the deposited layer has a thickness of a few atomic layers. Thus, the reaction is repeated to achieve the thickness. In an embodiment, the deposited layer has a thickness of about 100 angstroms. Accordingly, the reaction is repeated about 100 times. In an embodiment, the reaction is repeated more than 100 times. If the thus formed thin atomic layer has a desired thickness, then the heat source is turned off, 426. The substrate remains heated during the first precursor gas flow, second precursor gas flow, and the reaction of the first and second precursor gas reaction. Thus, the heat supplies energy to the ALD reaction. The substrate with the enhanced ALD deposited layer then continues integrated circuit fabrication, 427.

If the ALD deposited layer does not have the desired thickness, 425, then the process returns to the prior steps 417, 418, 421 to complete another ALD cycle. This will deposit another sub-layer on the previous layer until the ALD deposited layer/sub-layers have the desired thickness. The desired thickness is predetermined by the stoichiometry and purpose of the layer in the integrated circuit.

In an example of the process 400, a TaN film is fabricated. The TaN film is used as a conductive, barrier layer in a variety of IC devices. The substrate is prepared and positioned in a reaction chamber. The substrate is heated to a temperature of about 400 degrees Celsius. A first precursor gas of TaF₅ flows into the chamber. In an embodiment, the TaF₅ flows into the chamber for about one to three seconds. A portion of the TaF₅ gas adheres to the substrate surface. The ambient portion of the first precursor gas that remains in the chamber is purged. A purge pulse of inert gas, e.g., argon, flows into the chamber for about three seconds. A second precursor gas of SiH₄ and NH₃ flows into the chamber. In an embodiment, the second precursor gas flows into the chamber for about four seconds. The TaF₅ and SiH₄/NH₃ gases react at the substrate surface to form a TaN film at a rate of about 1.3 angstroms per cycle. The ALD reaction by-product gases are purged from the reaction chamber by a purge gas pulse. The purge gas pulse is another three second pulse of an inert gas, e.g., argon. The by-product gases of this example include SiF₄ and SiHF₃. The cycle is repeated until the TaN film has the predetermined thickness. The TaN film has a Ta:N ratio of about 1:1. That is, there is essentially no unreacted compounds, impurities or reaction byproducts in the TaN film. The addition of the heat to the reaction assists in disassociating the precursor gas compounds. The TaN film does not have significant amounts of Si or F as these two elements tend to strongly bond and not as strongly bond to Ta or N. That is, the silane effectively captures the fluorine released from the TaF₅ gas. In an embodiment, Si impurities in the TaN film are less than 5%. In an embodiment, Si impurities in the TaN film are less than 3%. In an embodiment, Si impurities in the TaN film are in a range of about 2% to about 3%. It can be expected that Si is found in the TaN film in the quantity of one to two percent. This will not adversely effect the performance of the Ta N film in a significant way. The TaN film has a resistivity of about 2500 μohms-cm. In an embodiment, the TaN film has a resistivity in the range of 2250 μohms-cm to 2750 μohms-cm.

FIG. 5 shows a memory cell 500 including a layer according to the present invention. Memory cell 500 includes a capacitor 502 that is formed on a substrate 505. In an embodiment, the capacitor is a trench capacitor formed in a trench 507 bound by thick insulator layer 509. The thick insulating layer 509 is deposited overlying substrate 505 and any active areas (not shown). Insulating layer 509 is an insulator material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride materials. For one embodiment, insulating layer 509 is a doped insulator material such as borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), a boron and phosphorous-doped silicon oxide. The insulating layer 509 is planarized, such as by chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP), in order to provide a uniform height. A mask (not shown) is formed overlying insulating layer 509 and patterned to define future locations of the memory cells 500. Portions of insulating layer 509 exposed by patterned mask are removed. Subsequently, the mask is subsequently removed. The portions of insulating layer 509 may be removed by etching or other suitable removal technique known in the art. Removal techniques are generally dependent upon the material of construction of the layer to be removed as well as the surrounding layers to be retained. Patterning of insulating layer 509 creates openings or trenches 507 having bottom portions overlying exposed portions of the substrate 505 and sidewalls defined by the insulating layer 509. In an embodiment, the sidewalls have a hemispherical grain (“HSG”) surface. As known in the art, a contact layer (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the trench 507 in an embodiment. The contact layer connects the memory cell 500 to an access transistor (not shown).

A bottom electrode 511 is formed overlying the trench 507 and insulating layer 509. Bottom electrode 511 is a conductive material. For one embodiment, bottom electrode 511 contains a metal. For another embodiment, the metal component of the bottom electrode 511 is a refractory metal. Bottom electrode 511, in an embodiment, contains more than one conductive layer, e.g., a first metal layer overlying a metal silicide layer. For additional embodiments, the conductive material of bottom electrode 511 contains a metal or conductive metal oxides, including platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), ruthenium (Ru) or ruthenium oxide (RuO_(x)). Bottom electrode 511 is formed by any of a plurality of methods, such as collimated sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or other deposition techniques. Bottom electrode 511 forms the bottom conductive layer or electrode of the capacitor 502. For one embodiment, the bottom conductive layer has a closed bottom and sidewalls extending up from the closed bottom as shown in FIG. 5. For another embodiment, the bottom conductive layer has a substantially planar surface as in a parallel plate capacitor. In an embodiment, the bottom electrode 511 has a roughened or non-smooth surface. In an embodiment, the bottom electrode 511 has a hemispherical grain surface.

The bottom electrode 511, in an embodiment, is formed over a barrier layer that is on the conductive line. In an embodiment, the barrier layer include TaN. In an embodiment, the conductive line is a conductive polysilicon. Thus, this barrier layer is under the bottom electrode.

A first barrier layer 514 is formed overlying the bottom electrode 511 according to the teachings of the present invention. The first barrier layer 514 is shown to be directly adjoining the bottom electrode 511, but there is no prohibition to forming additional conductive layers interposed between the first barrier layer 514 and the bottom electrode 511 described above. The first barrier layer 514 is a conductive layer formed according to the enhanced ALD processes described herein. In an embodiment, the first barrier layer 514 includes a metal nitride material. In an embodiment, the first barrier layer 514 includes a refractory metal nitride material. The refractory metals of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), hafnium (Hf), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), vanadium (V) and zirconium (Zr) are included in this definition. For one embodiment, first barrier layer 511 contains a tantalum nitride material (TaN). The metal nitride act as a diffusion barrier to protect the underlying electrode layer 511 from subsequent oxygen ambient or metal oxide dielectrics. In an embodiment, the metal component of the metal nitride barrier layer 514 is selected to be the same as the metal component of adjacent electrode layer 511. In an embodiment, the barrier layer 514 formed according to the present invention effectively coats the hemispherical grain bottom electrode layer 511.

A dielectric layer 513 is formed overlying the first barrier layer 514. The dielectric layer 514 is shown to be adjoining the first barrier layer 511, but there is no prohibition to forming additional layers interposed between the dielectric layer 513 and the first barrier layer 514 described above. Note, however, that the nature of any additional layer may affect performance of the resulting capacitor such as creating an undesirable series capacitance. Dielectric layer 513 contains a dielectric material. For one embodiment, dielectric layer 513 contains at least one metal oxide dielectric material. For another embodiment, dielectric layer 513 contains at least one dielectric material such as Ba_(z)Sr_((1−z))TiO₃ [BST; where 0<x<1], BaTiO₃, SrTiO₃, PbTiO₃, Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ [PZT], (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O₃ [PLZT], (Pb,La)TiO₃ [PLT], Ta₂O₅, KNO₃, Al₂O₃ or LiNbO₃. In an embodiment, dielectric layer includes a lanthanide oxide. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer includes LiFO₂, ZrO₂, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer includes a high k oxide. In an embodiment, the barrier layer has ∈ value of greater than 10. For a further embodiment, dielectric layer 513 contains Ta₂O₅. The dielectric layer 513 is deposited, in various embodiment, by any deposition technique, e.g., RF-magnetron sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), ALD, or other suitable deposition technique. As one example, a metal oxide, e.g., tantalum oxide, may be formed by depositing a layer of the metal component, e.g., tantalum, followed by annealing in an oxygen-containing ambient. As another example, the metal oxide may be deposited by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Subsequent to formation, dielectric layer 513 may be annealed in an oxygen-containing ambient, such as an ambient containing O₂ or ozone, at a temperature within the range of approximately 200 to 800° C. The actual oxygen-containing ambient, concentration of oxygen species and annealing temperature may vary for the specific dielectric deposited. The bottom electrode 511 is generally not oxidized, or is only marginally oxidized, during formation or subsequent processing of the dielectric layer 513 due to the protection from the oxygen-containing ambient as provided by first barrier layer 514.

A second barrier layer 516 is formed overlying the dielectric layer 513. The second barrier layer 516 is shown to be directly adjoining the dielectric layer 513, but there is no prohibition to forming additional layers interposed between the second barrier layer 516 and the dielectric layer 513. Note, however, that the nature of any additional layer may affect performance of the resulting capacitor such as creating an undesirable series capacitance. The second barrier layer 516 is a conductive layer formed according to the enhanced ALD processes described herein. In an embodiment, the second barrier layer 516 includes a metal nitride material. In an embodiment, the second barrier layer 516 includes a refractory metal nitride material. The refractory metals of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), hafnium (Hf), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), vanadium (V) and zirconium (Zr) are included in this definition. For one embodiment, second barrier layer 516 contains a tantalum nitride material (TaN).

A top electrode 515 is deposited to form the top conductive layer or electrode of the capacitor. The top electrode 515 is shown to be directly adjoining the second barrier layer 516, but there is no prohibition to forming additional conductive layers interposed between the top electrode 515 and the second barrier layer 516. Top electrode 515 may be of any conductive material and generally follows the same guidelines as bottom electrode 511. Layers 511, 514, 513, 516, and 515 are patterned by techniques to a define capacitor 502 for a memory cell 500.

In the foregoing embodiments, the capacitor structures included a barrier layer interposed between the dielectric layer and each electrode. An example from these embodiments includes a a metal layer/TaN/Ta₂O₅/TaN/a metal layer structure for bottom electrode/barrier layer/dielectric layer/barrier layer/top electrode. In an embodiment, only a single barrier layer is formed. That is, there is no requirement to use a barrier layer on each side of the dielectric layer as described above. As an example, where the bottom electrode is not susceptible to oxidation, the first barrier layer could be eliminated. An example of this embodiment includes a Pt/TaN/Ta₂O₅/metal layer structure for bottom electrode/barrier layer/dielectric layer/top electrode. Similarly, where the dielectric and layers beneath the dielectric are not susceptible to oxidation, the second (top in FIG. 5) barrier layer is eliminated.

In an embodiment, at least one of the electrode layers 511 and 515 is formed according to the present invention. In this embodiment, there is no barrier layer intermediate the at least one electrode layer 511 or 515 formed according to the invention. If both of the electrode layers 511 and 515 are formed according to the present invention, then the capacitor is a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. In an embodiment, the MIM capacitor has at least one TaN layer as an electrode layer, a dielectric layer and another electrode layer.

In addition, FIG. 5 was used to aid the understanding of the accompanying text. However, FIG. 5 is not drawn to scale and relative sizing of individual features and layers are not necessarily indicative of the relative dimensions of such individual features or layers in application. As an example, the bottom electrode 511 may have a physical thickness of five times that of the dielectric layer 513 in some applications. Accordingly, the drawings are not to be used for dimensional characterization.

While the foregoing embodiments of capacitor structures may be used in a variety of integrated circuit devices, they are particularly suited for use as storage capacitors of memory cells found in dynamic memory devices.

FIG. 6 shows a transistor 600 including an ALD layer according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the transistor 600 is used as an access transistor to the memory cell 500. Transistor 600 is formed on a substrate 605 in an active area including a doped well 619 covered by a field oxide region 621. The field oxide region 621 has a thin center portion 627 and thicker outer portions. A first source/drain region 623 is formed in the well 619 beneath the center portion 627 of field oxide region 621. A second source/drain region 625 is formed in the well 619 beneath the center portion 627 of field oxide region 621. The field oxide center portion 627 forms the gate oxide that is positioned intermediate the source/drain regions 623, 625 above the channel region of the well 619. In an embodiment, a barrier layer 626 is formed according to the present invention over the gate oxide 627. The gate electrode 629 is formed over the barrier layer 626. The barrier layer 626 is adapted to prevent dopants, such as boron, in the gate electrode 629 from diffusing into the gate oxide layer 627, the source/drain 623 and the source/drain 625. The barrier layer 626 also prevents reactions between the gate electrode 629 and the gate oxide layer 627, prevents migration of dopants from the gate electrode 629 to other areas of the semiconductor device, prevents oxidation of the gate electrode 629 and prevents the formation of silicides on the gate electrode.

In an embodiment, a further barrier layer 631 is formed according to the present invention over the gate electrode 629. A line or interconnect 633 is formed on the barrier layer 631. The line 633 is adapted to control the gate electrode 629 and hence operation of the transistor 600 by conducting a control signal from a control circuit (not shown) to the gate. Barrier layer 631 is adapted to prevent diffusion of elements from either the line 633 or gate electrode 629 to the other of the line 633 and gate electrode 629.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of an atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor 700 suitable for practicing the present invention. FIG. 7 is provided for illustrative purposes and the invention may be practiced with other reactors. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes a chamber 701 that is a pressure-sealed compartment for mounting a substrate 702 on susceptor 707. It will be appreciated that susceptor 707, in an embodiment, is adapted to hold a plurality of substrates. Chamber 701 is typically manufactured from aluminum and is designed to contain a low-pressure environment around substrate 702 as well as to contain process gases, exhaust gases, and heat or plasma energy within chamber 701. The illustrated substrate 702 includes a substrate base 702A on which are deposited first and second layers 702B and 702C. It is understood that the surface of the substrate 702 at various times during fabrication includes recesses and non-planar surfaces. Inlet gas manifold 703 supplies process gases, for example, precursor gases and purge gases, at controlled flow rates to substrate 702. Inlet gas manifold 703 includes a diffuser 709 that spreads the inlet gas across the surface of the substrate(s). A first source of precursor gas 716 is connected to manifold 703. A source of purge gas 717 is connected to manifold 703. A second source of precursor gas 718 is also connected to manifold 703. Carrier gases, such as helium, argon or nitrogen, may also be supplied in conjunction with the gases supplied by the manifold as is known and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Chamber 701 also incorporates a pumping system (not shown) for exhausting spent gases from chamber 701 through exhaust port 704.

ALD reactor 700 includes means for supplying energy to the reactable constituents or compounds in the process gases in chamber 701 on the surface of the substrate 702. The supplied energy causes the reactable constituents to react or decompose and deposit a thin film onto an upper surface of substrate 702. In one embodiment, the supplied energy includes thermal energy supplied by heat lamps 706. Heat lamps 706 are adapted to heat the substrate and/or chamber 701 according to the teachings of the present invention. In the illustrated example, lamps 706 are positioned in the base of chamber 701. Heat lamps 706 emit a significant amount of near-infra red radiation that passes through susceptor 707 to heat substrate 702. Alternatively, susceptor 707 is heated by heat lamps 706 and substrate 702 is heated by conduction from susceptor 707. The heat lamps 706 may be placed at alternate locations according to the parameters of the specific deposition process being performed according to the present invention.

Another embodiment supplies reaction energy by a radio frequency (RF) generator 708 as shown in FIG. 7. RF generator 708 creates a RF field between substrate 702 and an anode. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, susceptor 707 is grounded while the RF signal is applied to a process gas manifold 709. Alternative and equivalent ALD reactor designs will be understood by reading the disclosure. An RF anode may be provided separately (not shown) and process gas manifold 709 may be electrically isolated from the RF supply. For example, the RF signal is applied to susceptor 707 and process gas manifold 709 is grounded. The RF generator 708 is adapted to produce sufficient energy to create a plasma within the chamber 701 in accordance with the present invention.

In general, the energy sources 706 and 708 are intended to provide sufficient reaction energy in a region near the surface of substrate 702 to cause decomposition and/or reaction of the constituents of the present gas to deposit the first element, e.g., the metal species, in the process gases onto a surface of the substrate. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading the disclosure that any one, combination, or equivalent of the above can be employed to provide the necessary reaction energy.

ALD reactor 700 is illustrated as a single wafer reactor, but it should be understood that the invention is applicable to batch reactors.

Furthermore, ALD reactor 700 includes associated control apparatus (not shown) for detecting, measuring and controlling process conditions within ALD reactor 700. Associated control apparatus include, as examples, temperature sensors, pressure transducers, flow meters, control valves, and control systems. Control systems include computational units such as programmable logic controls, computers and processors. Associated control apparatus further include other devices suitable for the detection, measurement and control of the various process conditions described herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will comprehend other suitable reactors for practicing the invention described in this application, for example the reactors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,879,459 and 6,305,314, herein incorporated by reference.

FIG. 8 represents an ALD system 800 suitable for practicing the invention. ALD system 800 contains the ALD reactor 700 and a control system 810. ALD reactor 700 and control system 810 are in communication such that process information is passed from ALD reactor 700 to control system 810 through communication line 820, and process control information is passed from control system 810 to ALD reactor 700 through communication line 830. It is noted that communication lines 820 and 830 may represent only one physical line, in which communications are bidirectional.

The control system 810 includes, integrally or separable therefrom, a machine readable media 835 which contains instructions for performing the present invention. Media 835, in various embodiments, includes electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, etc. storage device(s) that stores instructions that are read by control system 810. Such storage devices include magnetic disks and tape, optical disks, computer memory, etc. Control system 810 may also include a processor (not shown) for issuing instructions to control reactor 700 based upon instructions read from machine readable media 835.

Memory Devices

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a memory device 900 according to an embodiment of the invention. The memory device 900 includes an array of memory cells 902, address decoder 904, row access circuitry 906, column access circuitry 908, control circuitry 910, and Input/Output circuit 912. The memory is operably coupled to an external microprocessor 914, or memory controller for memory accessing. The memory device 900 receives control signals from the processor 914, such as WE*, RAS* and CAS* signals. The memory device 900 stores data which is accessed via I/O lines. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional circuitry and control signals can be provided, and that the memory device of FIG. 9 has been simplified to help focus on the invention. At least one of the memory cells, transistors, or associated circuitry has an integrated circuit structure or element in accordance with the present invention, i.e., an ALD layer formed according to the present invention.

It will be understood that the above description of a memory device is intended to provide a general understanding of the memory and is not a complete description of all the elements and features of a specific type of memory, such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). Further, the invention is equally applicable to any size and type of memory circuit and is not intended to be limited to the DRAM described above. Other alternative types of devices include SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or Flash memories. Additionally, the DRAM could be a synchronous DRAM commonly referred to as SGRAM (Synchronous Graphics Random Access Memory), SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), SDRAM II, and DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM), as well as Synchlink or Rambus DRAMs and other emerging DRAM technologies.

Semiconductor Dies

With reference to FIG. 10, for one embodiment, a semiconductor die 1010 is produced from a wafer 1000. A die 1010 is an individual pattern, typically rectangular, on a substrate or wafer 1000 that contains circuitry, or integrated circuit devices, to perform a specific function. A semiconductor wafer 1000 will typically contain a repeated pattern of such dies 1010 containing the same functionality. Die 1010 contains circuitry for the inventive memory device, as discussed above. Die 1010 may further contain additional circuitry to extend to such complex devices as a monolithic processor with multiple functionality. Die 1010 is typically packaged in a protective casing (not shown) with leads extending therefrom (not shown) providing access to the circuitry of the die for unilateral or bilateral communication and control. Each die 1010 includes at least one ALD layer according to the present invention.

Circuit Modules

As shown in FIG. 11, two or more dies 1010 may be combined, with or without protective casing, into a circuit module 1100 to enhance or extend the functionality of an individual die 1010. Circuit module 1100 may be a combination of dies 1010 representing a variety of functions, or a combination of dies 1010 containing the same functionality. One or more dies 1010 of circuit module 1100 contain at least one ALD layer in accordance with the present invention.

Some examples of a circuit module include memory modules, device drivers, power modules, communication modems, processor modules and application-specific modules, and may include multilayer, multichip modules. Circuit module 1100 may be a subcomponent of a variety of electronic systems, such as a clock, a television, a cell phone, a personal computer, an automobile, an industrial control system, an aircraft and others. Circuit module 1100 will have a variety of leads 1110 extending therefrom and coupled to the dies 1010 providing unilateral or bilateral communication and control.

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of a circuit module as memory module 1200. Memory module 1200 contains multiple memory devices 1210 contained on support 1215, the number generally depending upon the desired bus width and the desire for parity. Memory module 1200 accepts a command signal from an external controller (not shown) on a command link 1220 and provides for data input and data output on data links 1230. The command link 1220 and data links 1230 are connected to leads 1240 extending from the support 1215. Leads 1240 are shown for conceptual purposes and are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. 9. At least one of the memory devices 1210 contains a ALD layer according to the present invention.

Electronic Systems

FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of an electronic system 1300 containing one or more circuit modules 1100. Electronic system 1300 generally contains a user interface 1310. User interface 1310 provides a user of the electronic system 1300 with some form of control or observation of the results of the electronic system 1300. Some examples of user interface 1310 include the keyboard, pointing device, monitor or printer of a personal computer; the tuning dial, display or speakers of a radio; the ignition switch, gauges or gas pedal of an automobile; and the card reader, keypad, display or currency dispenser of an automated teller machine, or other human-machine interfaces. User interface 1310 may further describe access ports provided to electronic system 1300. Access ports are used to connect an electronic system to the more tangible user interface components previously exemplified. One or more of the circuit modules 1100 may be a processor providing some form of manipulation, control or direction of inputs from or outputs to user interface 1310, or of other information either preprogrammed into, or otherwise provided to, electronic system 1300. As will be apparent from the lists of examples previously given, electronic system 1300 will often be associated with certain mechanical components (not shown) in addition to circuit modules 1100 and user interface 1310. It will be appreciated that the one or more circuit modules 1100 in electronic system 1300 can be replaced by a single integrated circuit. Furthermore, electronic system 1300 may be a subcomponent of a larger electronic system. It will also be appreciated that at least one of the memory modules 1100 contains a ALD layer according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of an electronic system as memory system 1400. Memory system 1400 contains one or more memory modules 1200 and a memory controller 1410. The memory modules 1200 each contain one or more memory devices 1210. At least one of memory devices 1210 contains an ALD layer according to the present invention. Memory controller 1410 provides and controls a bidirectional interface between memory system 1400 and an external system bus 1420. In an embodiment, the memory controller includes integrated circuits that includes an ALD layer according to the present invention. Memory system 1400 accepts a command signal from the external bus 1420 and relays it to the one or more memory modules 1200 on a command link 1430. Memory system 1400 provides for data input and data output between the one or more memory modules 1200 and external system bus 1420 on data links 1440.

FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of an electronic system as a computer system 1500. Computer system 1500 contains a processor 1510 and a memory system 1400 housed in a computer unit 1505. Computer system 1500 is but one example of an electronic system containing another electronic system, i.e., memory system 1200, as a subcomponent. Computer system 1500 optionally contains user interface components. Depicted in FIG. 15 are a keyboard 1520, a pointing device 1530, a monitor 1540, a printer 1550 and a bulk storage device 1560. It will be appreciated that other components are often associated with computer system 1500 such as modems, device driver cards, additional storage devices, etc. It will further be appreciated that the processor 1510 and memory system 1400 of computer system 1500 can be incorporated on a single integrated circuit. Such single package processing units reduce the communication time between the processor and the memory circuit. It will be appreciated that at least one of the processor 1510 and memory system 1400 contains an ALD layer according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the printer 1550 or bulk storage device 1560 includes an ALD layer according to the present invention.

CONCLUSION

The present invention includes methods for producing improved IC structures as discussed herein. The present method uses enhanced atomic layer deposition. In an embodiment, the enhancement is the use of plasma energy during ALD. In an embodiment, the enhancement is the use of thermal energy during ALD.

The ALD uses a first precursor gas and purges the first precursor gas according to ALD processes. A plasma is created during the purging step to enhance the ALD process. A second precursor gas is provided to react with the remaining portion of the first precursor gas. The plasma disassociates the elements of the second precursor gas. This allows a disassociated element from the second precursor gas to react with at least one component of the first precursor gas at the substrate surface. The result is a layer with fewer impurities, e.g., unwanted elements, than would be formed by conventional PVD or CVD. Further, using the plasma to enhance the ALD process reduces the amount of impurities in an ALD layer formed according to the present invention. The plasma is initiated during the purge step as the second precursor pulse is of such a short duration that is the plasma is initiated during the second precursor gas pulse, the plasma will not be created fast enough to achieve the desired energy level to disassociate a component of the second precursor gas from the other components thereof. Initiating the plasma energy during the purge step results in an initial plasma of the purge gas, which in turn creates a plasma as soon as the second precursor gas flows into the chamber. Starting the plasma during the purge allows the plasma to stabilize before the second precursor flows in to the reaction chamber. The resulting structure has fewer impurities than conventional PVD, CVD, and ALD.

The structures that have metal layers formed according to the present invention do not have the depletion layers that are formed according to conventional PVD techniques. The depletion layer reduces capacitance of a capacitor, for example in a memory cell. Further, a TaN layer according to the present invention is an effective barrier layer, which allows the use of high work function materials, e.g., noble metals, platinum, rhodium, that are ineffective diffusion barriers. An ineffective diffusion barrier allows oxygen, silicon or other unwanted elements to diffuse through the layer during IC processing to change the chemical structure of layers below the barrier layer. An effective barrier layer prevents diffusion through the barrier layer during IC processing. Still further, it is believed that conventional IC processes do not teach an effective process for creating a TaN layer during IC processing.

In an embodiment, thermal energy is used to enhance ALD. The thermal energy assists in disassociating components of the precursor gases. The thermally enhanced ALD layer results in improved step coverage over PVD and CVD layers in both contact structures and hemispherical grain (“HSG”) surfaces and containers. Further, the thermally enhanced ALD provides for greater thickness control over PVD. The thermally enhanced ALD layer is more thermodynamically stable than the PVD layers. Still further, PVD of TaN, i.e., sputter Ta and add ammonia (NH₃), results in a layer that has approximately 90% Ta and 10% N. Conventional processes that use only tantalum and silane result in a non-conductive layer of tantalum silicide. Thus, the present process provides for the formation of a conductive TaN layer using silane and ammonia as reactant gases. 

1. An atomic layer deposition method, comprising: flowing a first gas adjacent a substrate; purging the first gas with a purge gas; stopping flow of the purge gas; flowing a second gas adjacent the substrate after stopping flow of the purge gas; and starting a plasma during the purging the first gas.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the first gas includes flowing a gas containing tantalum.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein flowing the first gas includes flowing a gas containing TaF₅.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein starting the plasma includes generating a radio frequency signal.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the second gas includes flowing a gas containing nitrogen.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the second gas include flowing a gas containing NH₃.
 7. An atomic layer deposition method, comprising: flowing a first gas adjacent a substrate; purging the first gas; flowing a second gas adjacent the substrate; and creating a plasma during purging the first gas and the flowing the second gas.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein flowing the first gas is free from a plasma.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein creating the plasma includes starting a plasma during the purging.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein creating the plasma includes ending the plasma during the flowing of the second gas.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein creating the plasma includes ending the plasma during the flowing of the second gas.
 12. An atomic layer deposition method, comprising: flowing a first gas adjacent a substrate; purging the first gas; flowing a second gas adjacent the substrate; and creating a plasma during purging the first gas and the flowing the second gas; and wherein flowing the first gas includes flowing a gas containing TaF₅.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein flowing the first gas includes flowing a gas containing NH₃.
 14. An atomic layer deposition method, comprising: flowing a first gas containing a first compound adjacent a substrate; adhering a layer of the first compound to a surface of the substrate; purging the first gas; forming a plasma during the purging; flowing a second gas containing a second compound adjacent the substrate; continuing the plasma forming during the flowing of the second gas; reacting the second compound to the first compound on the surface of the substrate to form an atomic layer of a third compound; and purging the second gas.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein purging the second gas includes ending the plasma.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the recited steps are repeated to form another atomic layer.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein flowing the first gas includes flowing a gas containing tantalum.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein flowing the second gas includes flowing a gas containing nitrogen.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein continuing the plasma includes ending the plasma during the flowing of the second gas.
 20. A method, comprising: pulsing TaF₅ gas into a chamber containing a substrate; adhering a layer of TaF₅ to a surface of the substrate; flowing argon into the chamber to purge the TaF₅ gas; during flowing argon, turning on a power source to generate a plasma; pulsing NH₃ gas into the reaction chamber; continuing operation of the power source during part of pulsing NH₃ gas; and reacting the TaF₅ and NH₃ at the surface to form a TaN atomic layer.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein turning on the power source includes supplying 300 watts of radio frequency power to generate the plasma.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein pulsing the TaF₅ includes flowing TaF₅ into the reaction chamber for about 1-2 seconds.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein pulsing the NH₃ includes flowing NH₃ into the reaction chamber for about 4 seconds.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein turning on the power source includes generating a plasma before NH₃ is flowed into the reaction chamber.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein continuing operation of the power source includes disassociating the nitrogen from the hydrogen.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein reacting the TaF₅ with the NH₃ includes reacting the TaF₅ with the disassociated nitrogen to form the TaN ALD film.
 27. A method of forming a barrier layer in an integrated circuit device, comprising: providing a layer of a first precursor gas on a substrate in a chamber according to atomic layer deposition; providing energy in the chamber for disassociating a material from a second precursor gas; after providing the energy supplying the second precursor gas; and reacting the first precursor gas with the disassociated material to form the barrier layer.
 28. A method of forming a barrier layer in an integrated circuit device, comprising: providing a layer of a first precursor gas on a substrate in a chamber according to atomic layer deposition: providing energy in the chamber for disassociating a material from a second precursor gas; after providing the energy supplying the second precursor gas; reacting the first precursor gas with the disassociated material to form the barrier layer; and wherein providing a layer of a first precursor gas includes providing TaF₅ on the substrate.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein supplying the second precursor gas includes supplying NH₃.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein reacting includes forming TaN in the barrier layer.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the integrated circuit device is a memory cell.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the integrated circuit device is a transistor.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein providing energy includes heating the chamber to about 400 degrees Celsius.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein providing energy includes heating the substrate to 400 degrees Celsius.
 35. The method of claim 27, wherein providing energy includes creating a plasma in the reaction chamber.
 36. A method of forming a TaN layer, comprising: heating at least one of a reaction chamber and a substrate; flowing TaF₅ into the reaction chamber; leaving an amount of TaF₅ on the substrate according to atomic layer deposition; purging the ambient TaF₅ from the chamber; flowing SiH₄ into the chamber; flowing NH₃ into the chamber; and reacting the SiH₄ and NH₃ with the TaF₅ according to atomic layer deposition to form a TaN layer on the substrate.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein heating includes maintaining the temperature at about 400 degrees Celsius during all of the recited steps.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer having a thickness of about 1.3 Angstroms.
 39. The method of claim 36, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer having a Ta:N ratio of about 1:1.
 40. The method of claim 36, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer to have Si impurities of about 1% to 2%.
 41. The method of claim 36, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer to have Si impurities of less than about 5%.
 42. The method of claim 36, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer to have a resistivity of about 2500 μOhms-cm.
 43. The method of claim 36, wherein heating includes heating the at least one of the chamber and the substrate to about 400 degrees Celsius.
 44. The method of claim 36, wherein flowing SiH₄ into the chamber and flowing NH₃ into the chamber occur at least partially at the same time.
 45. The method of claim 36, wherein flowing SiH₄ into the chamber and flowing NH₃ into the chamber occur at the same time.
 46. The method of claim 36, wherein flowing SiH₄ into the chamber and flowing NH₃ into the chamber occur sequentially.
 47. A method of forming a TaN layer, comprising: heating at least one of a reaction chamber and a substrate; flowing TaF₅ into the reaction chamber; leaving an amount of TaF₅ on the substrate according to atomic layer deposition; purging the ambient TaF₅ from the chamber; flowing SiH₄ and NH₃ into the chamber; and reacting the SiH₄ and NH₃ with the TaF₅ according to atomic layer deposition to form a TaN layer on the substrate.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein heating includes heating the at least one of the chamber and the substrate to about 400 degrees Celsius.
 49. The method of claim 47, wherein heating includes maintaining the temperature at about 400 degrees Celsius during all of the recited steps.
 50. The method of claim 47, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer having a thickness of about 1.3 Angstroms.
 51. The method of claim 47, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer having a Ta:N ratio of about 1:1.
 52. The method of claim 47, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer to have Si impurities of about 1% to 2%.
 53. The method of claim 47, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer to have Si impurities of less than about 5%.
 54. The method of claim 47, wherein reacting includes forming the TaN layer to have a resistivity of about 2500 μOhms-cm.
 55. The method of claim 1, wherein the second gas is different from the purge gas.
 56. The method of claim 1, wherein the purge gas is inert with respect to the first gas.
 57. An atomic layer deposition method, comprising: flowing a first gas, containing TaF_(5,) adjacent a substrate; purging the first gas; flowing a second gas adjacent the substrate; and starting a plasma during the purging the first gas.
 58. The method of claim 57, wherein flowing a second gas adjacent the substrate occurs after stopping flow of the purge gas.
 59. The method of claim 57, wherein starting the plasma includes generating a radio frequency signal, and wherein flowing the second gas include flowing a gas containing NH₃. 